But that's an interesting aspect of these Canadian series: not only are there still male-led series (like Murdoch Mysteries) but there are plenty of good male roles in these female-led series. There's far more gender balance in casting than a lot of the traditional male-led series.

People maybe should be talking about Canadian TV drama more. I know that's a strange opening statement given blogs are a-buzz over the CRTC's new rules and regulations overhauling television broadcasting. But quotas and points systems and funding is all well and good, but the main goal is getting shows on the air and eyeballs glued to those shows. And there are recent occurrences that warrant a bit of analysis.

In recent years there has been a slight, but noteworthy, incursion of Canadian TV series onto American TV. Cable series like Bitten and Orphan Black and even primetime network programs like Rookie Blue and Motive. But there has been grumbling about these and other shows.

A big difference between casting in American and Canadian productions is this: when a Hollywood production casts a Canadian it's in spite of the fact that the actor is Canadian. Yet often when Canadian productions import American actors, they do so because the filmmakers were told they had to have an American lead.

There was a time when you could declare a Canadian TV season if two series were airing around the same time. And a "hit" season if people had actually heard of one of them. And then along comes Played -- CTV's crime-drama about undercover cops that premieres Thursday, Oct. 3rd. Here's the best part: it's actually quite good.

Culture, simply, is your life. So what's "national" culture? Culture is all around you. From bilingual cereal boxes to "Canadian Tire" money. I love American pop culture, but I champion the idea of Canadians recognizing they have a place at the table, too.

There are so many Canadians living in Los Angeles that Hollywood is cheekily referred to as the fourth largest Canadian city. Yet Canadians are almost never depicted in American movies and TV shows. Except when they are.

Part of the strength of it is the fact that it seems un-selfconscious and unapologetic about its Canadian setting. It isn't like the writers are struggling to cram in some awkward Canadianism just to say they could...but because they're trying to be true to these characters and their world.

With Canadian TV, it's rare for people to say: "Hey -- you know what this reminds me of?" But one can see Canadian influences watching the new crime drama Motive. Maybe part of the key to having a pop culture is admitting there was a culture before you took the stage.

A recurring gripe of mine is how many Canadian movies and TV shows slavishly pretend they aren't Canadian -- such as by disguising Toronto as New York or as a generic "Anytown, North America." So how to best test this idea...and have fun at the same time? Let's make a drinking game out of Canadian references!